Obituaries

JAN (JOHN) GERARD DE GROOT

MARCH 6, 1942 – APRIL 2, 2024

It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we announce the passing of John on April 2, 2024 at the St Boniface Hospital, with his loving family by his side.

John was predeceased by his parents Lourens and Janna de Groot (nee Diemer) in the Netherlands. Brothers-in-law, Richard and Denis, sisters-in-law, Irene and Pauline.

Left to honour and cherish his memory are his loving wife of 58 years, Murielle.  His two sons, Paul (Debra) and Tony (Carla), grandchildren Andrew, Janna, Jeremy, Eric and Celine, sister Wietske (Robert) Phillips as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

John was born in Grootegast, Netherlands and came to Canada as a child with his Grandmother and sister Wietske Laura. At the young age of 17, John enlisted with the Canadian Armed Forces and began a lifelong career of public service and commitment to his new home.

While a member of the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, stationed in Victoria BC, John met his beautiful soon to be wife, Murielle Goulet.  They married on April 11, 1966.  Shortly then after, John remustered to Signals, eventually landing into his career of choice as a radar tech.  As a radar tech with Comms & Signals, this afforded John, his wife Murielle and their young family the opportunity to live at various postings throughout Canada and for John an opportunity to see the world.

One of John’s most fondly remembered postings was at CFS Gypsumville where he rose to the rank and appointment of Station Chief Warrant Officer, despite his charming Army persona in an Airforce trade.   Following the military 3 F principal of being fair, friendly and firm, he garnered the respect and admiration of many of those that he served with.

His career with the Canadian Armed Forces came to an end with a terminal posting to Winnipeg in 1995 where he left the military with the rank of Captain to focus on family and begin his last role as Opa.  He finally had time to pursue and document the family’s genealogy with Murielle.  Together they created beautiful albums for the grandchildren and for the Goulet family to look back on for many years.

Dad was a man of many talents, from creating amazing works of stained glass art to restoring automobiles and campers or helping his sons with their house renovations and projects.  Dad never stopped his quest to learn and share his knowledge of mechanics, computer and information technology, history, politics and all that was going on in the world.   He loved spending time around a campfire, sharing stories of his years in the military and tidbits of information on any and every subject resulting in us affectionately calling him “Mr. Spock”.

We now sit back and reminisce on all the memories, laughs and stories! You will be missed! Peace be the journey!